Tiki News & Lifestyle

Trader Sam’s Expanding at Disneyland?

Tangaroa Terrace at Disneyland, photo by Humuhumu

It’s just a rumor, but I like it. (Well, bummerama: see below for an update from Trader Sam’s bartender Kelly Merrell, who says this isn’t happening.) A post on MiceChat includes a rumor that Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, the popular tiki bar at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, will be closing soon so that it can expand. The plan calls for it to take over the neighboring Tangaroa Terrace quick-service restaurant. This makes sense to me: the bar has proven itself to be a winner, and I would guess the financial outlook for Tangaroa Terrace is, by compare, pretty shabby.

New Anaheim permit for construction at Trader Sam’s

Strong supporting evidence, via @DLthings on Twitter: this permit, dated December 6, for, well, new tiki bar construction. Looks like the planning approvals are moving quickly, maybe this is happening soon? If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland in the coming months, keep an eye out for any possible closure dates—I’ll try to share what I know as I learn more.

UPDATE:

Critiki reader Karrol Baker reports her daughter was at Trader Sam’s on Friday, and the patio is already blocked off for construction.

UPDATE 2:

Trader Sam’s bartender Kelly Merrell says:

What you saw was probably the temporary banquet bar set-up used for weekend peak service. There are currently no plans for any construction or expansion at Trader Sam’s. Sorry, guys… As exciting as this may sound, there are currently no plans for construction or expansion at Trader Sam’s. Although only a few weeks old, this is out dated info.

I trust Kelly, but the permit files with the City clearly shows TT is having work done, including a “service bar indoors” and “Tiki bar development”.

Now, I’m in the camp of NOT expanding Sam’s, so I do hope Kelly is correct Andy sam’s is not changing. Personally, I’d like to see Tangaroa Terrace developed into a companion bar space like WDW’s Skipper Cantina or an “outpost” of the Jock Lindsay Hangar Bar from Disney springs in FL.